Method and means for production of signatures



Nov. 14, 1961 J. A. MCGAR'VEY METHOD AND MEANS FOR PRODUCTION OF SIGNATURES Filed July 2l, 1958 United States Patent Office 3,008,707 Patented Nov. 14, 1961 3,008,707 METHOD AND MEANS FOR PRODUCTION OF SIGNATURES `Iohn A. McGarvey, Philadelphia, Pa., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Liberty Folder Company, Chicago,

Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed July 21, 1958, Ser. No. 749,733 3 Claims. (Cl. 270-68) My invention relates to an improved method for production of signatures which method is speciiically adapted for use with the well known buckle type folding machines and whereby two different signatures are printed upon a single sheet which sheet thereafter, and during its passage through the folding machine, is severed into two parts each of which forms a distinct signature, the different signatures being separated, as they emerge from the folding machine, into individual stacks of like kinds by mechanical means also forming a part of my invention.

A principal object of my invention is to provide an improved method as above set forth and whereby two different signatures are printed upon a single sheet, this being advantageous in many cases due to economies effected in the printing of the signatures.

Another object of my invention is toprovide an i-mproved method as just above set forth and wherein severance of the single sheet into two different signatures is accomplished during passage through the folding machine, this being advantageous in that economies are effected in the folding operations.

Still another object of my invention is to provide mechanical means adapted to automatically separate the different signatures into stacks of like kinds as the signatures emerge from the folding machine.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent with an understanding of the following specifications taken in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout the various figures.

Referring now to the drawings:

FIGURE l is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view taken longitudinally through the exit portion of a buckle type folding machine and through a stacking device, the view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of my improved mechanical means advantageous for practice of my improved method.

FIGURE 2 is a wiring diagram.

FIGURE 3 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating an exemplary sheet which has been printed and is to be folded and cut into two diiferent signatures, the diagram also illustrating initial stages of folding and the cutting operation.

FIGURE 3a is a continuation of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 4 is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along the line 4 4 of FIGURE 3 and illustrating initial folds of the printed sheet.

FIGURES 3 and 3a of the drawings illustrate my improved method for production of signatures, it being understood that my method is specifically adapted for use with buckle type folding machines.

As shown in these gures (3 and 3a) a single sheet may be printed (usually on both sides) as required, the printed matter usually being arranged in pages generally indicated at P on the sheet 10, the dotted lines 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 being indicative of the boundaries of various pages and also of Ifold lines to ultimately be imparted. The line 16 indicates the line of severance along which the sheet 10 will be cut to produce two signatures, the portion A comprising one signature and the portion B comprising another signature each of which may be different.

The sheet 10 as just described is fed into a conventional buckle type folding machine (not indicated in FIGS. 3 or 3a) wherein, with the sheet moving in the direction of arrow X initial folds are effected along the parallel lines 11, 12 and 13. Thus the folded sheet 10a emerging from the rst section of the folding machine, appears in section as shown in FIGURE 4 and at this stage has four panels or pages defined by the fold lines 11, 12 and 13.

As the sheet is advanced in the direction of the arrow X a cutting means, herein shown as comprising a rotary knife 17 is provided to sever the folded sheet 10a along the line 16, thus cutting the workpiece into two partially folded signatures respectively designated at S1 and S2 on the drawings. It will be clear that the detailed mechanical arrangement of the knife 17 is of conventional design and is deemed so well known in the art that detailed description herein is unnecessary for an understanding of my improved method.

The signatures S1 and S2 in their partially folded state are received on conveying means (not shown) and introduced into a second section of the folding machine having work rolls and buckling pockets arranged at right angles to those of the rst folding section and wherein the signatures move in the direction of the arrow Y. With reference now to FIGURE 3a the signatures S1 and S2 moving in the direction of arrows Y are subjected to folding elements which effect folding about the -lines 15, the signature thereafter being received in a third section of the Ifolding machine wherein the direction of travel is again changed as indicated by the arrows Z. It will be obvious that in this new direction of movement additional folds such as indicated -by the line 1'4 may again be imparted. It will now also be obvious that as the signatures emerge from the folding machine each successive signature will be dilferent and that sorting of the signatures into alternate piles of like kinds is desirable.

Mechanical means for sorting the successive signatures into like piles will presently be described, but it may now be pointed out that by reason of my improved method as above disclosed certain economies, :readily apparent to those skilled in the fart, are effected in many cases where it is advantageous to print two derent signatures upon a single sheet.

With reference now to FIGURE 1 Iof the drawings, the exemplary illustration depicts the nal folding operation as just described in conjunction with FIGURE 3a. As herein shown a finally folded signature S1 is just emerging from the exit rolls 20 and 21 of a buckle type folding machine geuena-lly indicated Kat 22, while a succeeding signature S2 is being engaged between other work rolls 23 and 24 to be advanced into the buckling pocket i 25 and subsequently folded and discharged between the said exit rolls 20 and 21.

As also shown in FIGURE l a principal mechanical aspect of my invention comprises a vane or guide member 30 arranged as shown near the exit rolls 20 and 21 and which is affixed by lany suitable means, such as welding indicated at 31, to a shaft 32 pivotally jou-rnaled in opposite side frame members, such -as the member 33. Thus the vane or guide 30 may be tilted from its solid line position as shown to an upper alternate position indicated by the broken lines 30a.

Slightly below the vane 30 lan endless belt conveyor 34 runs over rolls 35 and 36 which are mounted on shafts 37 and 38 suitably journaled in the side frames and driven in the directions indicated by the arrows. A platform 39 arranged as shown is adapted to receive signatures carried thereto by the conveyor 34.

Above the vane 30 a conveyor 40 comprises an upper belt 41 land a lower belt 42 running over pulleys generally indicated at 43 and having shafts 44 journaled in opposite side frames and driven as indicated by the arrows. A short conveyor 45 runs over pulleys 46 and 47 suitably driven in the directions'indicated and a platform 48, arranged as shown, receives signatures carried thereto by conveyors 40 and 45.

It will now be clear that, with the vane 30 in its lower or solid line position as shown, the signature S1 emerging from the exit rolls and 21 will be engaged by `the vane and directed upwardly into engagement between the conveyor belts 41 and 42 to be delivered onto the conveyor 45 and finally to the receiving platform 48.

By means presently to be described in full detail the vane will be tilted to and retained in its upper position 30a during emergence of the succeeding signature S2. It will be clear that withthe vane in its upper position 30a the signature S2 will pass beneath the vane to be deposited onto the conveyor 34 and transferred to the lower receiving platform 39.

Thus by virtue of the tilting vane 30 the alternate signatures S1 and S2 will be sorted and stacked in piles of like kinds, the vane being automatically tilted to alternate positions as Vrequiredby means next to be described.

The shaft 32 which tiltably mounts the vane 30 also mounts a lever arm 50 having a slotted end 51 engaged by a pin 52iixed in `an armature 53comprising a solenoid having oppositely disposed stators or coils 54 and 55. As will lbe clear from inspection of the drawing, energization of the coil 54 will result in the vane 30 being positionedas shown, while energization of the coil 55 will result in tilting the vane to its upper dotted line position 30a. With reference now also to -FIGURE 2 a limit switch 56 having an actuating lever or trigger 57 which extends into the buckling pocket will be moved to closed position as each successive signature is advanced into the pocket. The switch 56 energizes a well known stepping relay 58 having alternate contacts 59 and 60 respectively arranged in the circuit as shown to alternately energize the coils 54 and 55. Thus as each signature is advanced into the pocket 25 the vane 30 is tilted to its `alternate position. Thus also the alternate signatures S1 and'S2 emergingV from the exit rolls 20 and 21 are directed to stacks of like kinds as is desirable.

It willbe Iclear that the vane may comprise a series of finger like elements suitably interposed, if desired, for coaction with belts comprising suitable conveying means.

Modifications may be made in my invention without departing from the spirit of it and I do notintend to be limited other than as set forth in the claims forming a part hereof. For example, while in the embodiment illustrated'the switch 56 having actuating lever 57 serves as a sens-ing means for signatures I'advanced through the machine, other sensing means such las a photo-electric cell,

including well known electronic circuits, may be substituted in lieu of the switch. Likewise in the embodiment 4illustrated the solenoids 54, 55 serve as actuating means for tilting the diverting member 30, and other well known actuating means such as a uid actuated piston may be substituted in lieu of the solenoid arrangement shown.

It will also be clear that various other modifications relating both to my improved method and to the exemplary structure described and shown will readily occur to those skilled in the art without dcpartingfrom the spirit of my invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. In combina-tion with. a buckle type folding machine having a final buckling pocket, coacting exit rolls arranged to receive the folded signatures from said pocket and to discharge said folded signatures in a common plane of ejection; a first signature receiving means; a second signature receiving means, diverting means always returnable to non-intercepting position upon :alternate actuations of said sensing means comprising a movable guide member shiftable to intercept the said common plane of ejection to guide signatures to said second signature receiving means, sensing means affected and actuated by successivey signatures advanced through-said machine and actuatlng` means responsive upon alternate actuations of said sensing means to shift said diverting means into interception of the said common plane of ejection always returnable to non-intercepting position upon alternate `actuation of said sensing means, whereby each alternate signaturev ejected by said exit rolls is guided to said second signature receiving means.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein the said sensingmeans comprises an electrical switch having an actuating element extending into said nal buckling pocket and including an electrical circuit comprising-a two-position stepping relay.

3. A device as deiined in claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprises a solenoid having an armature operatively linked to said diverting means and having opposed windings alternately energized by said sensing means.

References Cited in the file of this patenti UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,782,323 Spiess a Nov. 18,51930'y 1,825,217 Tufts et al Y Sept. 29, 1931 1,825,398y Hitchcock Sept. 29, 1931 1,850,932 Holms Mar. 22, 1932 1,946,143 Hitchcock Feb. 6, 1934 2,142,011 Spiess Dec. 27, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,025,484 France Apr. 15, 1953 

